Study Guide: Psychotropic Medication
Agents for Schizophrenia - Aripiprazole
Introduction
This study guide provides an overview of psychotropic medication agents for treating
schizophrenia, with a focus on Aripiprazole. It includes information on medication
classification, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing, side effects,
contraindications, overdose considerations, diagnostics and labs monitoring,
comorbidities considerations, legal and ethical considerations, and patient education.
Medication Description
Generic Name: Aripiprazole
Brand Name: Abilify
FDA Indication Uses: Treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents
Non-FDA Uses: Treatment of bipolar disorder, depression, and irritability associated with
autistic disorder in children and adolescents.
Medication Classification
Second-generation (Atypical) antipsychotic
Medication Mechanism of Action
Aripiprazole works by acting as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A
receptors, and as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. This leads to a
reduction in the activity of these neurotransmitters.
Pharmacokinetics
Aripiprazole is well-absorbed after oral administration and is metabolized in the liver. It
has a half-life of approximately 75 hours, and its active metabolite, dehydroaripiprazole,
has a half-life of approximately 94 hours.
Pharmacodynamics
Aripiprazole binds to dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors in the brain, which
leads to a reduction in the activity of these neurotransmitters.
Appropriate Dosing and Administration
The recommended starting dose for adults with schizophrenia is 10-15 mg/day, and the
maximum recommended dose is 30 mg/day. For adolescents with schizophrenia, the
